1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

[Herbert_Jones]

Hello All!!

I am in the middle of restoring a 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-hull fishing boat with a 65 horse Merc. I picked up this boat last summer and used it for a month or so even though the floor was a soft. The boat didn't seem to drive correctly in the water, the back end sat low and the nose didn't rise out of the water on take off.


I got curious one day and thought, "I will just cut a little hole in the soft spot and poke around". 3 hours later the majority of the floor and foam was out and the problems were found. The floor was completely rotten, the stringers were rotten, and the biggest thing is the foam. The foam was completely water logged, each one of the chunks I cut out weighed at least 10 lbs. I probably had 400 lbs of water in the hull! No wonder it sat heavy in the water!



I then started researching my options on this site and the Classic Glastron Site. I decided the restoration would be worth it, a lot of time but a like-new boat in the end. So I got the project started. I built a motor stand and took the engine off. then I removed all of the wiring, interior, and other components.



The project was then put on hold due to medical issues in the family. After the long winter I have started up the work again.

 

[Auger01]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

Your 78 seems to have more foam in it than mine did. How is the transom?

 

[Herbert_Jones]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

Luckily the transom is still in great shape. It seems like that the transom is the only piece of wood in the whole boat that is not mush. I was checking out your pictures your boat, beautiful with the new yamaha!

 

[Herbert_Jones]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

After getting back to work on the Glastron this spring, I have been able to cut/grind out most of the stringers and tabbing from the old fiberglass work. I am on vacation next week and plan to start installing the stringers and glassing them in so I have to finish the grinding this week after work.

Last night I was able to get my boat off of the trailer and onto some blocks so that the hull is back to it's original shape. Once I cut the stringer out the hull took the shape of the trailer.

A few more nights of grinding and I should be able to end the demolition and start the construction!!! It has been a long time coming!

I will keep this post updated as I am sure I will be needing advice as I start with the fiberglass so... Thank you all in advance, reading through all of the projects on this site really help.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

I would highly recommend that you take measurements of the top of the hull and compare them with the top cap to ensure that when the time comes to mate them back together they will fit back together. Also check the bottom of the hull to ensure that no "Hook" (deformity) has occured while sitting on the trailer for an extended period of time with not stringer support. This can and has happened in previous restorations. Once the stringers and deck have been installed it will be to late to do anything about these issues if they have occured.

 

[Auger01]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

I would highly recommend that you take measurements of the top of the hull and compare them with the top cap to ensure that when the time comes to mate them back together they will fit back together. Also check the bottom of the hull to ensure that no "Hook" (deformity) has occured while sitting on the trailer for an extended period of time with not stringer support. This can and has happened in previous restorations. Once the stringers and deck have been installed it will be to late to do anything about these issues if they have occured.

Good advice.

Wood, do you know of any boats lately that got restored with a hook problem?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

Yep, these should provide some good info...
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...pair/hull-hook-repair-601888.html#post4230937
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topics-questions-not-engine-topics/hull-hook-243250.html
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restoration-building-hull-repair/hull-hook-repair-243303.html

 

[Herbert_Jones]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

Thanks for the info Woodonglass. My wife and I ran a string across the hull and i didn't see any gaps. I still have a little bit of the center stringer left in while I grind the rest of the old resin/chopped strand out. That is the type of info you can only get from people who have done this before, thanks again.

 

[Herbert_Jones]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

Thanks for the info Woodonglass. My wife and I ran a string across the hull and i didn't see any gaps. I still have a little bit of the center stringer left in while I grind the rest of the old resin/chopped strand out. That is the type of info you can only get from people who have done this before, thanks again.

 

[Herbert_Jones]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

Last night I was able to get a few hours of grinding in after work. I think I should have a 2-3 more nights of grinding to finish up. Maybe its just me but after looking at the rotten mess in that hull for the last few months, seeing the bare hull is beautiful! I just picked up another couple of packs of grinding discs so I can get back to it.

Once the grinding is done and the dust is all removed I need to clean the interior. I have seen a few people mentioning a vinegar/water wash for this purpose. Have any of you used this (or have a better idea) I am wondering on the ratio?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 Glastron Beau Jack Tri-Hull Restoration

For fiberglass, I'd just vacuum her out really well, then do a final wipe down with Acetone. The Vinegar/Water is for Aluminum Boats